Hi, everyone !!
Before I go any further, I'd first like to take the opportunity to wish each and every Roku user from all countries and/or regions a "HAPPY STREAMING DAY!" for tomorrow (Sunday) because 20th May, as you may (or may not) be aware, has long been designated by Roku as "Streaming Day" to mark the anniversary of when (in 2008) the original Netflix player (aka Roku streaming media player) was first introduced to the world... and, ten years later, here we are - still streaming like crazy!
Unlike on this occasion last year, when Roku neglected to extend their custom 'Streaming Day' theme to any countries and/or regions outside of the United States, this time (I'm pleased to report) they did make the effort... and, if you haven't already spotted it on your own Roku device(s), here is a photo I took of my own TV screen displaying the "Happy Streaming Day" theme from the 'Settings' menu:-
HINT: Please CLICK on the above image TO ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!
Sadly, the same cannot be said of the various special offers and other promotional freebies mentioned in their dedicated blog post for 'National Streaming Day' 2018 which, aside from the chance to blag a free "I Love Streaming" icon badge for your Twitter profile, was just as US-centric as previous years! To wit, most of the promoted content from the featured 'YouTube' video in the post was for US-only Roku channels and not one of the special offers to save money on the purchase of a new Roku player was extended to the UK, as evidenced by the screenshot below:-
AS BEFORE: Please CLICK on the above image TO ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!
Had my original Twitter Account: @ukrokuchannels not been suspended, as reported last month, I might have even used the "I Love Streaming" icon badge for my own profile... but, as things stand, I cannot even do that. However, since many of you are still active on social media, I thought I'd share the image here so that you can copy & paste it into your own Twitter Profiles if you wish to do so:-
Anyway, with no other Roku-related news to share this week, I'm now going to get straight into bringing you details of all the latest new Roku channels (apps) which have been released during the seven days since my last 'Weekly RoundUp' post was published! :-)
Firstly, though, I'd just like to mention (on a not entirely un-related note) that I have now added links to some (though, still not all) of the 'Roku Guide' reviews that were previously "missing" for many of the new Roku channels released in the last few weeks... so, if you'd like to see an independent appraisal of those, be sure to check-out my post from last week (see link above), which (itself) contains a link to the previous week's post (and so-on, and so-forth), for details of where to find them. Unfortunately, there are (again) more "missing" links to the 'Roku Guide' reviews for over ninety per cent of the channels published during the last seven days... which means, much like many other posts from recent months, I'm going to have to leave it for each of you to (once more) access those details on your own. As of three months ago, you can choose to do that either via the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s)... or else, by following the links provided in each post to the relevant channel description(s) from the Roku Web Channel Store. Meanwhile, once the "missing" reviews have been published by 'Roku Guide', I will (as I have done previously) ensure that I add the relevant links to each post. Apologies (as always) for any inconvenience that may be caused by the absence of active links to an independent review for so many of these new apps but, like I say, it was entirely out of my hands. Hopefully they will get a chance to catch-up on them sometime in the coming week!?! ;-) :-)
Still, back to the list... which, as always, will help you to identify the very latest apps that have been added to Roku devices in the UK. Other websites offering Roku channel listings will base their contents on the Roku USA Channel Store, which means they also include apps that are unavailable to UK Roku users. So, like I've said before... if you really want to know what's available channel-wise, for owners of Roku devices in the UK, you need to be reading this blog each and every week! ;-) :-)
With twice the number of active links to check out, not just for this week... but each and every post that has been previously published as part of my 'Weekly RoundUp' series over the last five years, there's a *lot* of reading to catch-up on. So, without further ado, here's my 'Weekly RoundUp' of all new Roku channels released between 13th May 2018 and 19th May 2018:-
CITY STROLL: MOVIE MAGIC...........................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "UNCATEGORIZED" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, although this 'City Stroll: Movie Magic' channel is listed as being filed under the "Screensavers" category (i.e. genre) of the channel store - according to the official description for the app found via the "Official" Roku Web Channel Store online (see link below, and to the left of, the channel icon above) - you will not see it listed among the selection of icons that feature within that category of the built-in channel store on your Roku device(s). Another oddity with this app is that, despite being shown among the search results for "City Stroll" and displaying an 'Add channel' option (as you would expect for any other as yet uninstalled channel), the end result of attempting to add this 'City Stroll: Movie Magic' screensaver using the built-in Roku 'Search' feature (from within the channel store) is that, once you have selected 'Add channel' and clicked the "OK" button on your Roku remote, it will generate an 'Error' message which states: "Channel install failed - Could not add 'City Stroll: Movie Magic'." and your only option from there is to click "OK" again to remove the error message from your screen. For those who had previously selected and enabled 'Big City Stroll' as their chosen screensaver option from the 'Settings' menu, this should not be a problem... because (at least in my case) this 'City Stroll: Movie Magic' screensaver simply replaced the 'Big City Stroll' screensaver automatically - meaning nothing needs to be done to "install" or "add" this channel. If, however, you do not have this new free screensaver currently activated on your device... then, you will need to GO TO: Settings > Screensaver and scroll through the list of options on the right-hand side of your television screen until you see "City Stroll: Movie Magic" highlighted. After that, it is simply a case of pressing the "OK" button on your Roku remote (or via the 'Remote' in the Roku app) to select 'City Stroll: Movie Magic' as your screensaver. Once you've done that, and you see a "tick" (i.e. a check mark) beside the name to confirm it as your chosen option, you can then go "Back" or "Left" and select 'Wait time' from the "Screensaver" settings sub-menu to determine how long your Roku device should sit "idle" (i.e. with no streaming and/or remote activity) before the screensaver function kicks-in. FYI: there are options for '1 minute'; '5 minutes'; '10 minutes', and; '30 minutes' but, if you select 'Disable screensaver' from the 'Wait time' sub-menu then it will not start and you will not see any screensaver activity commence on-screen during those times when your Roku is idle. This is also useful for those who would really rather *not* have any kind of screensaver cutting-in... and, if you are currently being plagued by this but wish to stop it, choosing 'Disable screensaver' from the 'Wait time' sub-menu of the 'Screensaver' options found under the 'Settings' menu will do just that! However, as someone who enjoyed spotting the likes of 'King Kong', 'Mary Poppins' and 'Spiderman' amid the cityscape while my 'Big City Stroll' screensaver was active, I personally welcome the new challenge of trying to spot the 30+ hidden film & tv references in this latest Roku screensaver! ;-) :-)
CITY STROLL: SKYLINE.......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SCREENSAVERS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, if the aforementioned 'City Stroll: Movie Magic' channel (above) is a bit too "busy" for your liking or you'd rather not be bombarded with adverts for whichever channels happen to feature on the scrolling "billboards" within it, then you can always revert back to the more serene environs of the former 'Big City Stroll' screensaver variety by installing this 'City Stroll: Skyline' app. Unlike the 'City Stroll: Movie Magic' channel, you will be able to find this one under "Screensavers" via the built-in channel store on your Roku devices. There is also a viable means of finding/installing it using the Roku 'Search' feature and/or the web channel store (via the link above) and, once added, this should provide a "less challenging" environment during those times when it's active. So, whether you're adding it to invoke feeling of serenity or (like me) simply for old times sake, you will no doubt be pleased to hear that this 'City Stroll: Skyline' app is just as good as 'Big City Stroll' before it. Do be aware, though, that you may need to go into the 'Settings' menu and adjust the "Screensaver" options (see instructions for 'City Stroll: Movie Magic' above) to select & enable this app once added! ;-) :-)
KMTV LIBERIA..........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "INTERNATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
BLACK & WHITE TV GAME NIGHT V2......COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TRASHY MOVIES CHANNEL....COST: FREE (with ads) / $3.99 PER MONTH (no ads) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, while 'Trashy Movies Channel' is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s) and can be FREE-TO-STREAM on an ad-supported basis, the channel store description states that it "May require additional fees" to access the content. However, in this case, what it means is that there is an option to enjoy this channel completely commercial-free by paying a monthly fee in the amount of $3.99 USD to do so. If zero-budget films are your thing, there might be a few trashy movie fans among you for whom a long-term (annual) subscription of $29.99 PER YEAR could be more beneficial, not to mention offering greater savings... all the while getting to enjoy those sci-fi, action, grindhouse, exploitation, horror, and thriller films entirely AD-FREE with no interruptions! :-D
ALSO:- While you can easily check-out the content of this channel for free (albeit with adverts) you may wish to read the associated 'Roku Guide' review (see link above) for the Roku channel, to get an independent overview of what to expect from the 'Trashy Movies Channel', prior to subscribing! ;-) :-)
THE BEACH SHOW FLORIDA............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
SHOWHORSE-TV...............COST: FREE (n.b. may require additional fees) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, although this 'Showhorse TV' channel is FREE-TO-ADD to Roku devices and does allow you to browse the entire content library without charge, anyone wishing to view the mix of free and paid programming on offer will first need to register and then link their Roku device. Once that's done, you will have access to both Video-On-Demand (VOD) and live streaming content but please be aware that A SUBSCRIPTION MAY BE REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN CONTENT and also, because the package prices vary depending on the various programming options, there is no easy way to provide an exact figure for the purpose of this article. Therefore, if you would like to know more about the various payment plans and/or subscription options available, I would recommend that you first pay a visit to the official website where further details about their pricing structure can be found. As for information about the current programming (incl. future live events as well as some unique VOD content featuring lifestyle, educational & 'behind-the scenes' access video) there is a decent overview provided in the associated 'Roku Guide' review (see link above) if needed, which could well prove useful for any passionate equestrian enthusiasts among you! ;-) :-)
THE HOUSE OF HOPE TV...................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
JOSEPH PRINCE MINISTRIES.............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
VCY AMERICA......................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
SOULFUL T........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FOOD" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
A FOODIE LIFE.................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FOOD" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
FOOD CONNECTION........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FOOD" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
AFRICAN-AMERICAN EMBASSY TV................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "EDUCATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
DEW TOUR............................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TECH X - TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE...............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SCI & TECH" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
RADIO REFORMA TV..........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE DISABILITY CHANNEL..............................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "LIFESTYLE" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
X-CORPS....................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
MY TV TO GO NETWORK.................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD.....................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
FILM NOIR CENTRAL......................................COST: £1.99 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
THE COSMETICS CHANNEL.................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
103.7 DA BEAT....................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "MUSIC" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
HARLEM HERITAGE...................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
COCHE REPO...........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
DAME TINTA TATTOO............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPECIAL INTEREST" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
TOP AFRICAN MOVIES......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
QESIGN.......................COST: FREE (n.b. may require additional fees) [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "APPS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
PLEASE NOTE:- That, although this 'Qesign' channel is FREE-TO-ADD to your Roku device(s) and does offer a FREE 7-DAY TRIAL through which to assess the potential benefits of long-term use, the reality is such that A SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE REQUIRED by anyone who wishes to continue with this digital signage service beyond the initial trial period. However, because the pricing is based on the number of connected devices (screens), and the version (i.e. light, standard, pro, or enterprise), there is no easy way to provide an exact cost for the purpose of this article. Therefore, if you'd like to know more about the various payment plans and/or subscription options available, I would (again) recommend that you first pay a visit to the official website where further details about their pricing structure can be found. Whichever you choose, what you're getting is an easily configurable digital signage solution that can be set-up online (via a web browser) then streamed to your Roku device(s) allowing for custom content with any number of layouts (feat. images, video & widgets) to be viewed continuously on whatever display(s) they're connected to... be that at home, in an office, retail space, or other location. To get more ideas as to the various ways in which Qesign's drag-and-drop interface can be used to create a layout for your custom announcement / advertising sign (e.g. adding widgets to display the local weather, your Twitter posts, or news feeds, and links to externally-hosted images) I recommend that you read the 'Roku Guide' review for this 'Qesign' channel which goes into quite extensive detail based on their own free trial and subsequent findings with / experience of the service. From the sound of things, there are (almost) endless possibilities as to where & how this 'Qesign' app can be put to good use - provided you have a Roku, plus an HDMI-enabled display to view it on! :-D
BROKEN LIZARD................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
CARTOON PLAYHOUSE........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "KIDS & FAMILY" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
FAITH MIRACLE TEMPLE.......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "INTERNATIONAL" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN RELEASED***
TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING (TWS)......................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "SPORTS" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
HIROYUKI TERADA - SUSHI CHEF..............................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FOOD" in the Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE LONE RANGER............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
THE LITTLE RASCALS.......................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "FILM & TV" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
JOURNEY EXCHANGE........................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "RELIGIOUS" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***